Measurement techniques for liquid crystal parameters and ion impurities

ABSTRACT

Provided is a set of techniques for measuring different properties or parameters of liquid crystal mixtures by applying a driving waveform and measuring the response current and/or the optical response. This may be done by using specific liquid crystal test cells. Also provided are the optimized test cell parameters that are used in the algorithms for calculating the properties.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure herein relates generally to techniques and equipment thatmay be used in conjunction with measuring liquid crystal parameters andion impurities.

Liquid crystal materials used in modern LCD displays, LCD TVs, and soforth, are typically a mixture of a plurality of different individualliquid crystal components. Ion concentration, twist elastic constant(K₂₂), and rotational viscosity (γ₁) are three very important parametersfor the study of LC materials/mixtures and for LCD manufacture. Althoughthere are many publications and patents regarding techniques for LCmaterial property measurement, they are either too simplified to providereliable and repeatable results, not sensitive enough for advanced LCmaterials and LCD processes to allow for the reliable and accuratedetection of ultra-low ion concentrations, or overly complex.

What is needed, therefore, is a design that is better able to meet suchchallenges.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a method for measuring the twist elastic constant(K₂₂) of a liquid crystal mixture under test. The method includesproviding a liquid crystal test cell having a pair of electrodes;placing the liquid crystal mixture under test into the liquid crystaltest cell; applying an electrical driving signal to the electrodes ofthe liquid crystal test cell; measuring an electrical response signalfrom the electrodes; and based on the electrical driving signal and theelectrical response signal, and in the absence of measuring lighttransmitted through or reflected off of the liquid crystal test cell,determining the twist elastic constant (K₂₂) for the liquid crystalmixture under test.

The determining may include determining dielectric properties of theliquid crystal test cell. The determining may include determining aconstant related to a geometry of the liquid crystal test cell. Thedetermining may include using the following equation:K₂₂=(V_(th))²(aπ)⁻²(∈₀|Δ∈|), where V_(th) is the threshold minimumvoltage that causes liquid crystal molecules to turn, a is a featurefactor that is a function of the test cell geometry, ∈₀ is the vacuumpermittivity, and |Δ∈| is the dielectric anisotropy.

Also disclosed is a method for measuring the twist elastic constant(K₂₂) of a liquid crystal mixture under test. The method includesproviding a liquid crystal test cell having a pair of electrodes;providing a light source that directs light into one side of the testcell and a light sensor to measure light that exits the test cell;placing the liquid crystal mixture under test into the liquid crystaltest cell; applying an electrical driving signal to the electrodes ofthe liquid crystal test cell; measuring an amount of light that exitsthe test cell; and based on the electrical driving signal and themeasured light, determining the twist elastic constant (K₂₂) for theliquid crystal mixture under test.

The amount of light that exits the test cell may be measured after theelectrical driving signal has been turned off. The amount of light mayhave a leading edge in response to the electrical driving signal beingturned on and a falling edge in response to the electrical drivingsignal being turned off, and the falling edge is utilized the determinethe twist elastic constant. A plurality of test cells having differentcell gaps may be used. A single test cell having a varying cell gap maybe used. The single test cell may be formed as a wedge test cell so thatthe cell gap increases across a width extent of the test cell.

Also disclosed is a method for characterizing the presence of ions in anobject under test. The method includes providing an object having a pairof electrodes attached thereto; applying an electrical driving signal ata given frequency to the electrodes of the object; measuring anelectrical response signal from the electrodes; and based on theelectrical driving signal and the electrical response signal, and in theabsence of measuring light transmitted through or reflected off of theobject, determining an ion distribution spectrum that includes a displayof the number of ions present in the object versus the given frequencyof the electrical driving signal.

The given frequency of the electrical driving signal may be varied toinclude a plurality of frequencies so that the number of ions presentcan be displayed versus the plurality of frequencies. The givenfrequency of the electrical driving signal may be swept from a firstfrequency to a second frequency. The differences between the electricalresponse signal at a first frequency and at a second, higher frequencymay be related to the ion concentration. The measuring of the electricalresponse signal may include determining the resistance and capacitanceof the object. The object may be a test cell containing a liquid crystalmixture to be tested. The object may be a solid object. The solid objectmay be a sheet of glass. The measuring of the electrical response signalmay include measuring the total charge at the electrodes.

Also disclosed is a method for measuring the rotational viscosity of aliquid crystal mixture under test. The method includes providing aliquid crystal test cell having a pair of electrodes; placing the liquidcrystal mixture under test into the liquid crystal test cell; applyingan electrical driving signal to the electrodes of the liquid crystaltest cell; measuring an electrical response signal from the electrodes;and based on the electrical driving signal and the electrical responsesignal, and in the absence of measuring light transmitted through orreflected off of the liquid crystal test cell, determining therotational viscosity for the liquid crystal mixture under test.

The electrical response signal may be measured on a trailing edge of theelectrical driving signal. The electrical response signal measured maybe the capacitance between the pair of electrodes. A backflow effect maybe ignored in determining the rotational viscosity.

Also disclosed is a method for measuring a performance parameter of aliquid crystal mixture under test. The method includes providing aliquid crystal test cell having a pair of electrodes; placing the liquidcrystal mixture under test into the liquid crystal test cell; applyingan electrical driving signal to the electrodes of the liquid crystaltest cell; measuring an electrical response signal from the electrodes;and based on the electrical driving signal and the electrical responsesignal, and in the absence of measuring light transmitted through orreflected off of the liquid crystal test cell, determining theperformance parameter for the liquid crystal mixture under test.

The performance parameter may be a twist elastic constant (K₂₂) for theliquid crystal mixture under test. The performance parameter may be anion distribution spectrum that includes a display of the number of ionspresent in the liquid crystal mixture under test versus the givenfrequency of the electrical driving signal. The performance parametermay be a rotational viscosity for the liquid crystal mixture under test.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure herein is described with reference to the followingdrawings, wherein like reference numbers denote substantially similarelements:

FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of a liquid crystal test cell.

FIG. 2 is a simplified illustration of a second liquid crystal testcell, this one being configured with electrodes for in plane switching(IPS).

FIG. 3 is a simplified illustration of a guarded electrodeconfiguration.

FIG. 4 is a simplified illustration of a test set-up for testing aliquid crystal mixture.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a test device used in the test set-up ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a technique for calculating K₂₂.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a second technique for calculating K₂₂.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a technique for calculating rotationalviscosity.

FIG. 9 is a simplified illustration of a second test set-up for testinga liquid crystal mixture.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a technique for calculating ion density.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the embodiments disclosed herein are susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof havebeen shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described indetail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended tolimit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but rather, theinvention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesof embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims. The disclosureis described with reference to the drawings, wherein like referencenumbers denote substantially similar elements.

Disclosed herein are techniques and systems related to improvedtechniques for measuring various parameters of liquid crystal mixtures:twist elastic constant (K₂₂), ion distribution spectrum, and rotationalviscosity (γ₁). These techniques can be performed on any of varioustypes of liquid crystal devices, from a simple test cell to a commercialLCD display or TV. For ease of illustration and discussion, thetechniques will be shown and discussed with regard to a test cell.

In many cases, the test cell will have a single large pixel, rather thanan array of pixels, but this is not necessary. Further, in some casesthe test cell will have a geometry for in-plane switching (IPS), and inother cases the test cell will include a pair of parallel electrodes(known as vertically aligned, twisted nematic, and so forth).

A configuration for a parallel plate electrode test cell 20 is shown inFIG. 1. The test cell 20 includes a pair of glass substrates 22 and 24.Attached to respective ones of the glass substrates 22 and 24 are a pairof ITO electrodes 26 and 28. An alignment layer 30 and 32 is provided onrespective ones of the electrodes 26 and 28. As will be discussed laterin greater detail, each alignment layer may have a “rubbing direction”to control the orientation of liquid crystal molecules in contact withthe alignment layer. Further, the rubbing directions on the twoalignment layers may be different from each other. The space between therespective alignment layers 30 and 32 is filled with a liquid crystalmixture 34. As mentioned, the molecules in the liquid crystal mixture 34tend to align with the nearby alignment layer. However, when an electricfield 36 is created by the pair of electrodes 26 and 28, the liquidcrystal molecules become oriented relative to the electric field in amanner which will be discussed in further detail below. Broken line(with arrowheads) 38 shows the range of angles through which the liquidcrystal molecules might be rotatable. For example, this might vary fromthe longitudinal axis of the elongated LC molecule being generallyparallel to the alignment layers to the longitudinal axis of theelongated LC molecule being generally perpendicular to the alignmentlayers.

A configuration for an IPS electrode test cell 40 is shown in FIG. 2.The test cell 40 includes a pair of glass substrates 42 and 44. Attachedon only one glass substrate 42 are a pair of ITO electrodes 46 and 48.As can be seen, in this simplified illustration of a test cell, eachelectrode 46 and 48 is shaped with an elongated rail from which a numberof fingers (in this case, two fingers) extend transversely. Each fingerextends toward the rail of the opposite electrode, so that the fingersof the respective electrodes are interleaved with each other. Analignment layer 50 is provided on top of the electrodes 46 and 48 andglass substrate 42. A second alignment layer 52 is provided on the glasssubstrate 44. Each alignment layer may have a rubbing direction tocontrol the orientation of liquid crystal molecules in contact with thealignment layers 50 and 52. The space between the respective alignmentlayers 50 and 52 is filled with a liquid crystal mixture 54. Asmentioned, the molecules in the liquid crystal mixture 54 tend to alignwith the nearby alignment layer. However, when an electric field 56 iscreated by the pair of electrodes 46 and 48, the liquid crystalmolecules become oriented relative to the electric field in a mannerwhich will be discussed in further detail below.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative electrode structure 60 for a test celldriven by a vertical electrical field. The structure 60 includes acentrally located driving electrode 62 which is nearly surrounded by aperimeter or guarding electrode 64. The guarding ring structure 60reduces parasitic capacitance to a minimum in order to increase themeasurement accuracy.

FIG. 4 shows a system 70 or arrangement for determiningcharacteristics/parameters about liquid crystal materials. As can beseen, the system 70 includes a test cell 72 that includes at least a topelectrode 74 and a bottom electrode 76. Although not shown in thisdrawing, a liquid crystal mixture under test has been added to the testcell 72. The test cell 72 is driven with a driving waveform 78 that isproduced by a test device 80. The test device 80 receives a responsesignal or current 82 from the test cell 72 in response to the drivingwaveform 78. The system 70 may also include a PC computer 84 that may beconnected to the test device 80 by a cable, such as a USB cable 86.

FIG. 5 provides more details about the test device 80. In thissimplified block diagram, the test device 80 includes an interfacedevice 90 that provides a USB interface to a host PC, such as PC 84 viaa USB cable 86. The interface device 90 may decode operational commandsfrom the PC 84. Via the interface device 90, the PC 84 may provideinputs and other commands to an Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG) 92(such as details about the driving waveform signal and the DC bias). TheArbitrary Waveform Generator 92 may store an arbitrary waveform and biasDC to its internal memory and provide a waveform signal 94 and a DC biassignal 96 to a High-Voltage, High-Power Output Driver 98 according totrigger signals from the Timing and Control Circuitry 104. The Driver 98generates the driving waveform 78 that is provided to the test cell,which may provide a high driving voltage (e.g., up to +/−100V and >50 mAcurrent driving capability). The response current 82 is provided as aninput to Signal Conditioning Circuitry 100, which may amplify, convert,and filter the raw input signal to a clean voltage signal. SignalConditioning Circuitry 100 may provide a signal to an ADC(analog-to-digital converter) with Deep High-Speed FIFO Memory 102. TheADC with Deep High-Speed FIFO Memory 102 may be triggered by the Timingand Control Circuitry 104 to convert a real-time analog signal to adigital version and record the signals into internal FIFO memory, andthen to transfer the recorded data to the PC 84 for further digitalprocessing. For example, the interface device 90 may upload measuredreal time data to the PC 84. The test device 80 also includes Timing andControl Circuitry 104 which communicates with each of the othercomponents in the test device 80. The Timing and Control Circuitry 104may generate trigger and timing signals for all functional componentswithin the device 80, based on the operation decoded by USB interface.As can be understood, various other components may be included in thetest device 80 as well, such as a power supply, and so forth.

Measurement of Twist Elastic Constant (K₂₂)

K₂₂ Measuring from C-V Curve

It should first be understood that the K₂₂ parameter is a constant for agiven LC mixture, while other parameters are constants for a given LCDdevice or test cell. So the objective here is to characterize theconstants other than K₂₂ for the test cell, and then with the LC mixtureto be tested placed into the test cell, determine the V_(th) (thethreshold voltage, or the minimum voltage applied across the pixel thatwill produce even the slightest response from the pixel), and from thatsolve for K₂₂.

The relevant equation used to determine K₂₂ is:

$\begin{matrix}{{V_{th} = {{\alpha\pi}\frac{w}{d}\sqrt{\frac{K_{22}}{ɛ_{0}{{\Delta ɛ}}}}}},} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 1}\text{-}1} \right)\end{matrix}$

where w is the gap between electrodes, d is the cell gap, ∈₀ is thevacuum permittivity, |Δ∈| is the dielectric anisotropy defined asΔ∈=∈_(D)−∈_(⊥), where ∈_(D) and ∈_(⊥) are dielectric constants measuredwhen molecules are aligned in parallel or aligned vertically to theapplied electric field, and α is a new term introduced here—a test cellfeature factor for K₂₂ calculation. In the normal case, α≠1. Therefore,we introduce equation:

α=ad+b  (Eq. 1-2)

which takes cell gap, d, into account. Our observations have found thatb≅1 for most test cell structures (particularly when the test cells havea large pitch (related to the distance between electrodes), but a variesgreatly for different test cell structures as it is a function of thestructure.

$\begin{matrix}{{{{Let}\mspace{14mu} B} = {\pi \; w\sqrt{\frac{K_{22}}{ɛ_{0}{{\Delta ɛ}}}}}},} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 1}\text{-}3} \right)\end{matrix}$

and then Eq. 1-1 can then be represented as:

$\begin{matrix}{K_{22} = {ɛ_{0}{{\Delta ɛ}}\left( \frac{B}{\pi \; w} \right)^{2}}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 1}\text{-}4} \right) \\{{{and}\mspace{14mu} V_{th}} = {\left( {a + {1/d}} \right)*B}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 1}\text{-}5} \right)\end{matrix}$

So, d and ware known for the IPS test cell, and a can be measured forthe IPS test cell, by test previously performed for three different gaptest cells. For example, a first test cell with a gap of d1 a secondtest cell with a gap of d2, and a third test cell with a gap of d3 couldbe used and a can be determined therefrom. Then, for each test cell usedin the system 70, one can obtain a curve of Capacitance versus Voltage(C-V curve). From each of these curves, the V_(th)(d) can be determined.Then, one can linear fit V_(th)(d) as function of (1/d), to get “a” and“B”. From equation 1-3, one gets K22. Moreover, theoretically, a singlewedged cell could be used instead of three or more cells with differentspacing.

In addition, it may be desirable to use an electrical driving signalwith a small magnitude (e.g., in the range of 0.1 volts) so that themolecules do not move very much.

A flowchart 120 for this technique is show in FIG. 6. First, a set ofIPS test cells are selected. The rubbing direction may be in the rangeof 0 to 3 degrees for a positive LC mixture and in the range of 87 to 90degrees for a negative LC mixture. Next, the test cell is filled withthe LC mixture to be tested. The V_(th) is then measured for all threetest cells (each have a different cell gap). The cell feature factor isthen derived by fitting (Equation 15) all the above values for V_(th)using their corresponding cell gap as the variable.

As can be appreciated, this technique introduces IPS cell featurefactor, a, for accurate calculation of K22 with any cell gap. Cellfeature factor can also be extracted from a single wedge cell using thesame principle. Without using the α factor, the measurements used byothers may only be reasonably accurate at d=0 or w=∞. Lastly, thismethod applies to both positive and negative liquid crystal mixturetypes.

K₂₂ Measuring from T-t Data

An alternative to the above approach determines K22 from driving thetest cell and measuring the optical transmittance of the test cell. Thebase equations used are

$\begin{matrix}{{\gamma_{1}\frac{\partial{\varphi \left( {z,t} \right)}}{\partial t}} = {K_{22}\frac{\partial^{2}{\varphi \left( {z,t} \right)}}{\partial z^{2}}}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 2}\text{-}1} \right) \\{\varphi = {\varphi_{0} + \delta}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 2}\text{-}2} \right)\end{matrix}$

When δ→0, Eq. 2-1 can be simplified to:

$\begin{matrix}{{\delta \left( {z,t} \right)} = {\delta_{0}^{\frac{- K_{22}}{\gamma_{1}d^{2}}t}{\sin \left( \frac{\pi \; z}{d} \right)}}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 2}\text{-}3} \right)\end{matrix}$

and translated to transmittance equation

$\begin{matrix}{{T(t)} = {T_{0}^{\beta \frac{- K_{22}}{2\gamma_{1}d^{2}}t}}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 2}\text{-}4} \right)\end{matrix}$

Eq. 2-4 can be further simplified when test cell is designed as w=1 mm,d=8 um, and new parameter β is introduced (β≅1 or ln(3)≅1.09). Inparticular, β≅1 when the electrode gap is much larger than the cell gap

$\left( \frac{w}{d}\rightarrow\infty \right).$

With this technique, a single test cell or wedged cell (cell gap dcontinuously changed) can be used. This includes measuring K₂₂ usingoptical decay method. By fitting equation 2-4 into the measured T(t),one gets τ. Once the rotational viscosity γ₁ and cell gap d is obtainedfrom other measurements, K22 is then obtained from

$\tau \equiv {\frac{2\gamma_{1}d^{2}}{K_{22}}.}$

[Again we use fitting here to determine K₂₂. With β=1 or 1.09, for givenγ1 and d (determined by test cell and liquid crystal mixture), the T-tcurve is a set of T(t) and t data pairs, from which we can curve fitwith equation 2-4 and find out K₂₂.]

FIG. 9 shows a system 200 or arrangement for determiningcharacteristics/parameters about liquid crystal materials. As can beseen, the system 200 includes the test cell 72. Although not shown inthis drawing, a liquid crystal mixture under test has been added to thetest cell 72. The test cell 72 is driven with a driving waveform 210that is produced by a test device 80. The system 200 also includes alight source 202, a light sensor (or photodetector) 204, and a pair ofpolarizers 206 and 208. The test device 80 receives a response signal212 from the light sensor 204 in response to the driving waveform 78.The system 200 may also include a PC computer 84 that may be connectedto the test device 200 by a cable, such as a USB cable 86.

A flowchart 140 for this technique is show in FIG. 7. First, an IPS testcell is selected (142). The rubbing direction may be in the range of 40to 90 degrees for a negative NLC mixture and in the range of 0 to 50degrees for a positive NLC mixture. Note, that 45 degrees could be usedfor both positive and negative NLCs, for example. Next, the test cell isfilled (144) with the LC mixture to be tested. The light source isturned on and the polarizers are arranged into a normally black mode.The transmittances are then measured (146) on the trailing edge of thedrive voltage. In other words, the drive voltage is returned to zero andthe LC test cell should return from a light transmitting state to alight blocking (black) state. It is this falling edge that is analyzed.The K₂₂ constant is then calculated (148) for the LC mixture under testby fitting Equation 2-4 above (the exponential decay equation) withmeasured transmittance, cell gap, and rotational viscosity (γ1). Thegeneral idea is to fit

${T(t)} = {T_{0}^{\frac{- t}{\tau}}}$

to get decay time constant, τ., then

$\tau \equiv \frac{2\gamma_{1}d^{2}}{K_{22}}$

use to calculate K₂₂. We assume rotational viscosity (γ1) and cell gap(d) are known parameters or can be measured with our ALCT.

Ion Distribution Spectrum Characterization

As stated previously, liquid crystal materials used in modern LCDdisplays, LCD TVs, and so forth, are typically a mixture of a pluralityof different individual liquid crystal components. While individual LCcomponents do not typically include ions therein, it is quite common forLC mixtures to contain ions, either due to the mixing of differentcomponents or due to contaminants finding their way into the mixture.Further, these ions can cause performance issues with the LCDs, such asimage sticking. For this reason, it is desirable to know more about theions in mixtures. Up until now, this has only included measuring theconcentration of ions in LC mixtures.

Disclosed herein are techniques for looking at ion density(charge/charge density) also in this writing as a function of frequencyof the driving signal for a LC mixture under test. By looking at this“ion distribution spectrum,” one can often recognize exactly what typeof ion is present in the mixture. Much like with fingerprints, the iondistribution spectrum of an LC mixture provides a ready ability todistinguish between different types of ions that may be present in themixture. As will be discussed, a driving waveform that sweeps through arange of waveform frequencies (for example, the waveform may betriangular with the frequency being varied). As but one example, thefrequency range for the sweep may be from 0.0001 Hz to 1 kHz. As thefrequency is swept, the total number of ions measurable up to each scanfrequency is measured. The measurement includes determining the totalcharge and subtracting the charge due to the dielectric constant. Thisgenerates a plot of ions versus frequency which provides the userinformation about which ions or which types of ions may be present.Relative low frequencies such as this are employed in part because theresistance and capacitance do not vary significantly at suchfrequencies.

The current (I) measured at the output of the LCD device, correspondingto the applied or driving voltage (V), is defined by:

$\begin{matrix}{{I = {\frac{Q}{t} = {\frac{\left( {CV} \right)}{t} + \frac{V}{R} + {{qAd}\frac{n}{t}}}}},} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 3}\text{-}1} \right)\end{matrix}$

where n is ion density of liquid crystal mixture, C is capacitance oftest cell filled with liquid crystal mixture to be measured, and R isparasitic resistance of test cell, and connecting wires,q is the chargeof electron, A this the cell area, and d is the cell gap. With a DCbalanced driving waveform, we integrate both sides of Eq. 3-1. Since Vis time-varying and not symmetrical and R can also be assumed as aconstant, the integral of

$\frac{V}{R}$

term is zero, and get:

$\begin{matrix}{{nqAd} = {{\int_{\frac{- T}{2}}^{\frac{T}{2}}{I\ {t}}} - {2{CV}_{0}}}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 3}\text{-}2} \right)\end{matrix}$

where T is the period of the driving waveform.

For modern NLC mixtures used in LCD commercial products, C is almost aconstant at frequencies lower than 1 KHz for the same applied V₀. Thenthe total ion density at frequency

$f_{i} = \frac{1}{T_{i}}$

can be represented as:

$\begin{matrix}{{n\left( T_{i} \right)} = {{\frac{1}{qAd}{\int_{\frac{- T_{i}}{2}}^{\frac{T_{i}}{2}}{I\ {t}}}} - {2{CV}_{0}}}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 3}\text{-}3} \right)\end{matrix}$

Normally, the ion response time is much slower than 1 mS. So,n(f_(i)≧1000 Hz)=0, or a small number (bias).

Eq. 3-3 can be used to characterize the ion frequency responses(referred as ion spectrum thereafter) by Eq. 3-4 as:

Δn _(i)(T _(i))=n(T _(i) −Δt)−n(T _(i) +Δt)  (Eq. 3-4).

Equation 3-4 represents an ion increment with frequency difference ofΔf=1/(2*Δt), which is the “color” or “finger prints” of a particularion. The same principle has been used in gas/liquid chromatographyinstruments and mass/optical spectrometers for material study andanalysis.

The test device 80 (ALCT from Instec, Inc.) is particularly designed forthis ion spectrum measuring with the lowest frequency down to 0.0001 Hz.

Please see the flowchart of FIG. 10.

As can be appreciated, this is the first spectral analysis methoddeveloped for liquid crystal mixture ion characterization. This methodcan be applied to test cells and real TFT and other LCD panels. Further,this method is applicable to all kinds of LC device structures includingIPS, FFS-IPS, VA types, and others. This method can be used to identifyone or more particular components in a liquid crystal mixture that has asignificant contribution to one or more of typical LCD defects such asflicker and image sticking. This method can also be applied to measureion movement or charged molecule displacement for solid materials, suchas glass substrates of LCD, OLED, or others. This method can also beused for measuring ion concentration of liquid or powdered, film or bulkelectrodes, such as polyimide, bi-fingered electrodes.

Summarized differently, the measurement procedures include thefollowing:

-   -   (1) Samples to be measured could be test cells (parallel        capacitance type or IPS, FFS-IPS type), or real TFT panels (VA,        TN, IPS or FFS-IPS, and so on). For real panel measurement, the        gate voltage needs to be applied following the TFT design.    -   (2) Measure the R and C of the sample at high frequency, then do        the same at low frequency. The difference between the two        reflects the ion concentration, more ions, the difference is        bigger.        Ion impurity measurement principles:

${I = {\frac{Q}{t} = {\frac{\left( {CV} \right)}{t} + \frac{V}{R} + \frac{n}{t}}}},$

where n is the ion charge. At steady state, for nematic LC material,C is the same for ±V₀, and C is constant at frequency lower than 1 Khz.n=∫Idt−2CV₀ at high frequency such as 1 Khz, n=0, since ions to slow tofollow the 1 Khz.Therefor the ions at lower frequency is n(f)=Q(f)−Q(1 Khz)Where f is the frequency of the applied triangle wave or sine wave.Normally, n is goes bigger as f goes to smaller, n also goes bigger asTemperature goes up. Same principles can also applied to IPS or FFS-IPSstructure. Same principles applies to V₀ bigger or smaller than V_(th).Results are compared with conventional triangle method which require theobservation of ion current bump. Advantage for this new method is thatthere is no need to find the bump in the current curve.

For the first time, the ion spectrum method is introduced forinstrumentation, is extended to a real TFT panel, and is applied to IPSand FFS-IPS structure LC cells or TFT panels. This method can also beapplied to measure ion movement or charged molecule displacement forsolid materials, such as glass substrates of LCD, OLED. This method canalso be used for measuring ion concentration of other materials, whichare not liquid crystals, such as isotropic liquid or powered, film orbulk, such as polyimiade, bi-fingered electrodes. This is allaccomplished by comparing R and C at low frequency driving signal to Rand C at high frequency driving signal.

Measuring Rotational Viscosity, γ1 (or gamma1)

First of all, it should be understood that from the current, one canderive the capacitance, and from capacitance one can derive the angle ofthe LC molecule. The shear flow equation is:

$\begin{matrix}{{{{a(\theta)}\frac{\partial{V_{x}\left( {z,t} \right)}}{\partial z}} + {{b(\theta)}\frac{\partial{\theta \left( {z,t} \right)}}{\partial t}}} = {\sigma (t)}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 4}\text{-}1} \right)\end{matrix}$

The rotational equation, where θ is the angle between the director andthe z axis (i.e., the angle of the LC molecule), is:

$\begin{matrix}{{{\gamma_{1}\frac{\partial{\theta \left( {z,t} \right)}}{\partial t}} = {{{- {b(\theta)}}\frac{\partial{V_{x}\left( {z,t} \right)}}{\partial z}} + {{g(\theta)}\frac{\partial^{2}{\theta \left( {z,t} \right)}}{\partial z^{2}}} + {\frac{1}{2}{\frac{{g(\theta)}}{\theta}\left\lbrack \frac{\partial{\theta \left( {z,t} \right)}}{\partial z} \right\rbrack}^{2}} - {\frac{1}{2}ɛ_{0}{\Delta ɛ}\; {E^{2}\left( {z,t} \right)}\sin \; 2\; {\theta \left( {z,t} \right)}}}}\mspace{79mu} {Where}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 4}\text{-}2} \right) \\{{a(\theta)} = {{\alpha_{1}\sin^{2}{\theta \left( {z,t} \right)}\cos^{2}{\theta \left( {z,t} \right)}} + {\frac{1}{2}\left\lbrack {{{- \gamma_{2}}\cos \; 2{\theta \left( {z,t} \right)}} + \alpha_{3} + \alpha_{4} + \alpha_{5}} \right\rbrack}}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 4}\text{-}3} \right) \\{\mspace{79mu} {{{b(\theta)} = {\frac{1}{2}\left\lbrack {{\gamma_{2}\cos \; 2{\theta \left( {z,t} \right)}} - \gamma_{1}} \right\rbrack}}\mspace{79mu} {Where}}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 4}\text{-}4} \right) \\{\mspace{79mu} {\alpha_{45} = {\alpha_{4} + \alpha_{5}}}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 4}\text{-}5} \right) \\{\mspace{79mu} {{{\gamma_{1} = {{\alpha_{3} - \alpha_{2}} \approx {- \alpha_{2}}}},\mspace{79mu} {\gamma_{2} = {{\alpha_{3} + \alpha_{2}} \approx {- \gamma_{1}}}}}\mspace{79mu} {\alpha_{3} \approx 0}}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 4}\text{-}6} \right) \\{\mspace{79mu} {{{g(\theta)} = {{K_{11}\sin^{2}\theta} + {K_{33}\cos^{2}\theta}}},}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 4}\text{-}7} \right)\end{matrix}$

When backflow is ignored (which we believe has not previously beendone), the equation reduces to:

$\begin{matrix}{{\gamma_{10}\frac{\partial{\theta \left( {z,t} \right)}}{\partial t}} = {{{g(\theta)}\frac{\partial^{2}{\theta \left( {z,t} \right)}}{\partial z^{2}}} + {\frac{1}{2}{\frac{{g(\theta)}}{\theta}\left\lbrack \frac{\partial{\theta \left( {z,t} \right)}}{\partial z} \right\rbrack}^{2}} - {\frac{1}{2}ɛ_{0}{\Delta ɛ}\; {E^{2}\left( {z,t} \right)}\sin \; 2\; {\theta \left( {z,t} \right)}}}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 4}\text{-}7} \right)\end{matrix}$

Boundary condition due to the anti-parallel rubbing:

θ(0,t)=θ(d,t)=θ₀  (Eq. 4-8)

V _(x)(d,t)=−V _(x)(0,t)  (Eq. 4-9)

Furthermore, we take:

$\begin{matrix}{{\theta \left( {z,t} \right)} = {\theta \left( {{d - z},t} \right)}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 4}\text{-}10} \right) \\{\left. \frac{\partial{\theta \left( {z,t} \right)}}{\partial z} \right|_{z = \frac{d}{2}} = 0} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 4}\text{-}11} \right) \\{{Also},{{V_{x}\left( \frac{d}{2} \right)} = 0}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 4}\text{-}12} \right) \\{{\sigma (t)} = {{{{{{kV}_{x}\left( {0,t} \right)}--}--} > {V_{x}\left( {0,t} \right)}} = \frac{\sigma (t)}{k}}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 4}\text{-}13} \right) \\{{V_{x}\left( {0,t} \right)} = {\frac{\beta}{a\left( \theta_{0} \right)}{\sigma (t)}}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 4}\text{-}14} \right) \\{k = \frac{a\left( \theta_{0} \right)}{\beta}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 4}\text{-}15} \right)\end{matrix}$

where β is slip length,k is the friction coefficient at the liquid and solid interfacen=(sin θ,0, cos θ) is the directorP=E(Δ∈ sin θ cos θ,0,∈_(⊥) sin² θ+∈_(∥) cos² θ) is the inducedpolarization∈_(eff)=∈_(⊥) sin² θ+∈_(∥) cos² θ is the effective dielectric constant

$\begin{matrix}{{{C_{t}\left( {z,t} \right)} = \frac{ɛ_{eff}ɛ_{0\;}A}{dz}},{\frac{1}{C_{t}(t)} = {\frac{1}{ɛ_{0}A}{\int\frac{z}{ɛ_{eff}}}}}} & \left( {{{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 4}\text{-}16} \right)\end{matrix}$

The θ(z, t) can be calculated from Equations 4-1 and 4-2, if backflow isincluded. Or equation 4-7 if backflow is ignored assuming all alpha's,α_(i) are known. C_(i)(t) then is calculated from equation 4-16. Thecalculation is done by fitting theoretical C_(i)(t) with measuredC_(m)(t). From the fitting, we can extract alpha's, α, and γ₁.

FIG. 8 includes a flowchart 164 calculating rotational viscosity. First,the test cell (e.g., the test cell 20 of FIG. 1) is filled (162) with anegative liquid crystal mixture. The test cell may include one or moreelectrically guarded electrodes 60 as shown in FIG. 3. Next, the liquidcrystal modules are switched (164) to being parallel to the substrate byapplying a driving voltage that is more than 3 to 5 times greater thanthe threshold voltage. Then, the driving voltage is removed and falls tozero, so that the capacitance of the test cell versus time can bemeasured (166). Following this, the measured C_(m)(t) is fit with thetheoretical C_(t)(t) to determine (168) gamma1, the rotationalviscosity. Note that it is again only the trailing edge that is analyzedand not both the leading edge and the trailing edge.

While the embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, suchillustration and description are to be considered as examples and notrestrictive in character. For example, certain embodiments describedhereinabove may be combinable with other described embodiments and/orarranged in other ways (e.g., process elements may be performed in othersequences). Accordingly, it should be understood that only exampleembodiments and variants thereof have been shown and described.

We claim:
 1. A method for measuring the twist elastic constant (K₂₂) ofa liquid crystal mixture under test, the method comprising: providing aliquid crystal test cell having a pair of electrodes; placing the liquidcrystal mixture under test into the liquid crystal test cell; applyingan electrical driving signal to the electrodes of the liquid crystaltest cell; measuring an electrical response signal from the electrodes;and based on the electrical driving signal and the electrical responsesignal, and in the absence of measuring light transmitted through orreflected off of the liquid crystal test cell, determining the twistelastic constant (K₂₂) for the liquid crystal mixture under test.
 2. Amethod as defined in claim 1, wherein the determining includesdetermining dielectric properties of the liquid crystal test cell.
 3. Amethod as defined in claim 1, wherein the determining includesdetermining a constant related to a geometry of the liquid crystal testcell.
 4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the determiningincludes using the following equation: K₂₂=(V_(th))²(aπ)⁻²(∈₀|Δ∈|),where V_(th) is the threshold minimum voltage that causes liquid crystalmolecules to turn, a is a feature factor that is a function of the testcell geometry, ∈₀ is the vacuum permittivity, and |Δ∈| is the dielectricanisotropy.
 5. A method for measuring the twist elastic constant (K₂₂)of a liquid crystal mixture under test, the method comprising: providinga liquid crystal test cell having a pair of electrodes; providing alight source that directs light into one side of the test cell and alight sensor to measure light that exits the test cell; placing theliquid crystal mixture under test into the liquid crystal test cell;applying an electrical driving signal to the electrodes of the liquidcrystal test cell; measuring an amount of light that exits the testcell; and based on the electrical driving signal and the measured light,determining the twist elastic constant (K₂₂) for the liquid crystalmixture under test.
 6. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein theamount of light that exits the test cell is measured after theelectrical driving signal has been turned off.
 7. A method as defined inclaim 6, wherein the amount of light has a leading edge in response tothe electrical driving signal being turned on and a falling edge inresponse to the electrical driving signal being turned off, and thefalling edge is utilized the determine the twist elastic constant.
 8. Amethod as defined in claim 5, wherein a plurality of test cells havingdifferent cell gaps are used.
 9. A method as defined in claim 5, whereina single test cell having a varying cell gap is used.
 10. A method asdefined in claim 9, wherein the single test cell is formed as a wedgetest cell so that the cell gap increases across a width extent of thetest cell.
 11. A method for characterizing the presence of ions in anobject under test, the method comprising: providing an object having apair of electrodes attached thereto; applying an electrical drivingsignal at a given frequency to the electrodes of the object; measuringan electrical response signal from the electrodes; and based on theelectrical driving signal and the electrical response signal, and in theabsence of measuring light transmitted through or reflected off of theobject, determining an ion distribution spectrum that includes a displayof the number of ions present in the object versus the given frequencyof the electrical driving signal.
 12. A method as defined in claim 11,wherein the given frequency of the electrical driving signal is variedto include a plurality of frequencies so that the number of ions presentcan be displayed versus the plurality of frequencies.
 13. A method asdefined in claim 12, wherein the given frequency of the electricaldriving signal is swept from a first frequency to a second frequency.14. A method as defined in claim 12, wherein the differences between theelectrical response signal at a first frequency and at a second, higherfrequency are related to the ion concentration.
 15. A method as definedin claim 11, wherein the measuring of the electrical response signalincludes determining the resistance and capacitance of the object.
 16. Amethod as defined in claim 11, wherein the object is a test cellcontaining a liquid crystal mixture to be tested.
 17. A method asdefined in claim 11, wherein the object is a solid object.
 18. A methodas defined in claim 17, wherein the solid object is a sheet of glass.19. A method as defined in claim 11, wherein the measuring of theelectrical response signal includes measuring the total charge at theelectrodes.
 20. A method for measuring the rotational viscosity of aliquid crystal mixture under test, the method comprising: providing aliquid crystal test cell having a pair of electrodes; placing the liquidcrystal mixture under test into the liquid crystal test cell; applyingan electrical driving signal to the electrodes of the liquid crystaltest cell; measuring an electrical response signal from the electrodes;and based on the electrical driving signal and the electrical responsesignal, and in the absence of measuring light transmitted through orreflected off of the liquid crystal test cell, determining therotational viscosity for the liquid crystal mixture under test.
 21. Amethod as defined in claim 20, wherein the electrical response signal ismeasured on a trailing edge of the electrical driving signal.
 22. Amethod as defined in claim 20, wherein the electrical response signalmeasured is the capacitance between the pair of electrodes.
 23. A methodas defined in claim 20, wherein a backflow effect is ignored indetermining the rotational viscosity.
 24. A method for measuring aperformance parameter of a liquid crystal mixture under test, the methodcomprising: providing a liquid crystal test cell having a pair ofelectrodes; placing the liquid crystal mixture under test into theliquid crystal test cell; applying an electrical driving signal to theelectrodes of the liquid crystal test cell; measuring an electricalresponse signal from the electrodes; and based on the electrical drivingsignal and the electrical response signal, and in the absence ofmeasuring light transmitted through or reflected off of the liquidcrystal test cell, determining the performance parameter for the liquidcrystal mixture under test.
 25. A method as defined in claim 24, whereinthe performance parameter is a twist elastic constant (K₂₂) for theliquid crystal mixture under test.
 26. A method as defined in claim 24,wherein the performance parameter is an ion distribution spectrum thatincludes a display of the number of ions present in the liquid crystalmixture under test versus the given frequency of the electrical drivingsignal.
 27. A method as defined in claim 24, wherein the performanceparameter is a rotational viscosity for the liquid crystal mixture undertest.